We all know preachers with radio voices. They could read the phone book and it would sound soothing and comforting. Think Barry White in the pulpit.
They used to have lots of wavy white hair. And an attractive wife.
They used to be able to say (often banal) things and everyone would sit deeply engrossed. But that doesn’t work today – or at least it doesn’t work for long.
Having a Radio Voice used to be the mark of an effective preacher/pastor. But today, the 21st Century Church requires a Digital Voice, not a Radio Voice – with all due respect to NPR.
A Digital Voice involves and includes people who haven’t had a voice. A Digital Voice shares the mike and invites others to share their voices.
In the next chapter for Jesus’ followers, there will the need for Digital Voices. There will be the need for people who don’t freak out when someone asks questions about Basic Theological Stuff or questions that make our orthodox hairs stand on the back of our necks. We need to give digital natives power. We need to speak Truth and Authenticity with all voices instead of Emptiness and Fakeness with radio voice.
I’m done with the guy who reads Scripture like he’s trying out for Shakespeare Theatre..
A Church for Starving Artists 